Delhi records worst air quality of year after Diwali due to rampant bursting of crackers: Officials

ET Online|

Updated: Nov 08, 2018, 01.00 PM IST

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Delhi smog: Air quality hazardous after Diwali, severe at several places

Delhi was immersed in thick haze on Thursday morning as air quality entered the "sever-plus emergency" category, on the morning after Diwali.

The air quality recorded was the worst the national capital region has witnessed this year.

The toxic air of Delhi jumped to 574 on the air quality index, according to the data provided by System of Air Quality and Weather Forcasting and Research (SAFAR).

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". Above 500 is "severe-plus emergency" category.

Delhi's Anand vihar and Major Dhyan Chand national stadium stood at 999 on the Air Quality index.

Delhi's air quailty took a hit after rampant burning of firecrackers that led to reduced visibility and formation of smoky layers across Delhi-NCR.

A 'severe plus emergency' air quality index (AQI) essentially means that even healthy people may suffer from respiratory illnesses on a prolonged exposure to such air. This air will seriously affect those with ailments, according to the advisory issued by SAFAR.

The Supreme Court had in October restricted the sale and use of firecrackers. The apex court allowed manufacture and sale of just "green crackers" which have low emission of light, sound and harmful chemicals. However, instances of